Northeast Twente and Springendal

The Landscape

The ancient arable fields known as essen in Northeast Twente are a defining feature of the region’s landscape. These elevated fields, shaped by centuries of farming, are bordered by groves, streams, and hedgerows. Surrounding them, gently rolling heathlands with quiet fens and open grasslands offer sweeping views. Bubbling springs emerge from the ridges, feeding clear brooks that meander peacefully through the valleys. The landscape is rich in traces of a distant past: burial mounds and urn fields from the Stone and Iron Ages lie hidden among the greenery. And for those who take the time to look, there are enchanting glimpses of centuries-old Saxon farmhouses with timber-framed barns, nestled in the picturesque countryside.

The Springendal, located in the heart of Northeast Twente, is rightly called the “Garden of the Netherlands.” This enchanting landscape offers a varied setting of gently rolling heathlands, clear spring-fed ponds, babbling brooks, flower-rich meadows, and ancient forests. In the 1920s, textile manufacturer Jannink transformed the area with a touch of English landscape design, a legacy still visible in the elegant lanes and water features. Everywhere you look, the past reveals itself: medieval essen, historic farmhouses, and old watermills tell the story of a region rich in history and character.